Unit strip machine and method



UNIT STRIP MACHINE AND IBTHOD April 15, 1941- R. A. WILLIAMS 2,238,356

UNIT STRIP 'MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Sept. 5. 1939 11 Sheets-Sheet 2April 15, 1941. R. A. wlLLlAMs 2,238,356

mm' suur MACHINE-AND um'on Filed Sept. 5, 1939 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 R. A.WILLIAMS UNI-r s 'npxv MACHINE AND Inno April 15, 1941.

Filed sept. 5. 195s 11 sheets-sheet 4 APflf15, 1941.3 'R. A.' wlLLlMs 1A2,238,356 v unir s'rmrummu AND union Filed sept. 5, 1959 l nsheets-sinn 5 R. A. WILLIAMS UNIT STRIP MACHINE AND KETHQD April15,1941.

Filed sept. 5,1959 11 Sheets-sheet e y kfz R. A. WILLIAM s 2,238,356

uuu' STRIP MACHINE Ann METHOD r Filed sept. 5, 193,9 n sheets-Sheet aAPril 15 1941- R. A.'w1L| lAMs 2,238,356

uuu s'rnrr nomma AND mamon Filed sept. 5, 1959 11 sheets-sheet' 9 W f wI j?? HerzformV April 15, 1941. R. A. wxLmAMs 2,238,356

um' s'nur moana: Annurnon Filed Sept. 5, 1959 11 sheets-sheet 1o llllAPY 15, 19.41- R. A`. w|| L.|AMs 2,238,356

UNIT STRIP MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Sept. 5, 1939 l1 Sheets-Sheet 11Patented pr. 1 5, ,1941

PATENT oFF-ICE 2,238,356 UNIT STRIP'MACHINE' AND METHOD I Robert AlonzoWilliams, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ditto, of West VirginiaIncorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation .Application september s,1939, serial No. 293,152J

32 Claims.'

of each group are secured to each other along'an edge which is at rightangles-to the edges of the exposed portions. The number of sheets in agroup may be varied to'fit the particular purpose 15 for which. thesheets are used. The sizes of thev sheets may be varied., also.

The present invention has for its principal object 'the provision of an.apparatus and method whereby units composed of a plurality of sheetsmay be rapidly assembledfrom webs of paper or like material as acontinuous process. The invention contemplates the assembling of aplurality of webs from suitable spools into overlapped relationship, thesecuring of the webs together at longitudinally spaced intervals, andsubsequent cutting of the webs along lines adjacent to the points ofsecurement so that each cut will `produce a unit strip comprising theseveral sheets in overlapping relationship.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a sheetassembling apparatus of the character described wherein a no vel meansis employed for securing the several sheets together, the novel meanscomprising an adhesive apply'- 35 ing device adapted to apply adhesiveto the sheets in small areas or dots which are placed adjacent to oneedge of the sheet and are spaced from each other lengthwise of the edge.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a machine of thecharacter described lwith means whereby adhesive material may be fapplied in rows extending transversely across the webs which areassembled, the rows being A spaced uniformly lengthwise of the web. Inthis connection, the invention contemplates an adhesive applying devicehaving vfingers, which .are adapted to engage the web at spaced pointsalong a line extending across the web and means are -provided wherebythe operation of the'fingers is 50 timed to occur while the web4 isstationary.

More specifically, it is the purpose ofthe present invention to providea sheetassembling apparatus wherein the several webs are supportedandguided into overlapping relationship so that (ci. zic-sz) a portionof each web is exposed when the eral webs are brought into engagementwith each other, together with .means for applying an adhesive betweenthe webs before they are brought into overlapped relationship, and meansfor cutting the overlapped webs to provide units -of sheets.

The features and advantages of the present -invention will appear morevfully as the description proceeds, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention isshown.

In the drawings, g

Fig. 1 is aview in side elevation of a machine adapted to carry out thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is avplan view of the left-hand end of the machine shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is'an end y,view looking at the machine 1from the left-hand end,as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view, partly in section,illustrating the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is4 a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 3; v

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 1-1of Fig. 4 and `illustrating a portion of the drive mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a -sectional 4view taken onthe line 8--8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a portion of the webadvancing mechanism.

shown in plan view in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ill- I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is an enlarged sectional view taken' on the line lI-i iV of Fig.1; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line i2-I2 ofFig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken on the line I3-I3 of'Fig.11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of one of the adhesiveapplying mechanisms shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15l is a fragmentary sectionalview'taken through a plurality. ofthe adhesive applying mechanisms shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line lt-ls of Fig. 11; f

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the right-hand endof the mechanism shown in Fig. 16;

' Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |8--i8 ofFig. 4;

information.

. of the frame 28 carries a spring pressed bearing pin. 88 which isadapted 4to engage in a conical seat 48 in the end of the shaft 28. Thebearing pin 88 is housed in a shell 4| that is ilxed to the Fig. 21 is afragmentary plan view-.of anl` assembled unitcf sheets such asare'produced by the present apparatus and method.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, andparticularly to Fig.- 21,there is lshown inthis figure a plurality of'sheets 22 which sheets arearranged' oneupon the other in overlapping relationship so that aportion 23 of each sheet is exposed. 'Ihis portion of the sheet isadapted to receive a legend such as a line of printed It will beevident, of course, that the width of the exposed portion 28 will ofneces-I i sity be different for different uses of the unit of sheets,and the size of each sheet inthe unit may be different for differentpurposes. The several sheets 22 are adaptedto be secured together alongtheir side edges 24 Vby applying an adhesive material 25, such as glue..between the several sheets. This adhesive material is preferably appliedin small areas along a line adja cent to the edge 24 of each sheet. Thesmall areas 25 are shown in Fig. 21 as'being arranged in a row runninglengthwise. of the edge 24, the

several small areas or dots being spaced apart uniformly.

The method of making the unit strips from the sheets 22, aslspeciflcally'shown in the present application, comprises .thesupporting and guiding of a plurality of webs of paper or like sheetmaterial so that the several-webs are placed one upon the other with alongitudinally extending portion ofeach web exposed'. The several. websreceive transversely extending rows .of the small areas of adhesive 25before they are brought into engagement `with each other. The adhesiveisapplied to the undersurface of each web except the bottom web. This webadheres to .the next web above it because of the adhesive on the lowersurface of said next web.' The rows of adhesive areas'are spaced atuniform distances lengthwise of the several webs so that when the websare brought together the rows of adhesive arel superposed. The severaloverlapping webs arefad-` form'the unit strips.

In Fig. 1 there is-shown a web supporting y frame 28 having amultiplicity of web carrying spools 21 removably mounted therein. 'Iheconstruction of the spools is that'shown in Figs. 16 and 1'1. A shaft 28-has a -longitudinal key-way yof the adhesive container 54.l

28 thereon. A plurality o f discs 88 and 8| are keyed to the shaft 28by` keys 82 and 88. Between the discs 88 and 8| a webA carrying sleeve84 is rotatable upon the shaft 28. 'A collar 85 acts as a shoulder tolimit the endwise movement of the disc 88,'while aspring and a collar.81 arearranged topress thefdisc 8l toward the disc 88. Y,Thepressure-'of the spring 88 is fairly light.'l but Y is sufilcient tosnugly hold the discs against the Aweb retaining sleeve 84. It-will beunderstood -that it is a simple matter to replace a web by removing oneofthe discs 88 from the shaft 28 and threading a new web carryingsleeve.uuponthe shaft is.

The shaft- 28 is removably mounted ln'the frame 28.

It has a pin 88 engaging in an openframe 28. The pin 88 has a groove'42therein; and a screw 48 in the shell 4I rides in the groove 42 to limitthe outward movement of the pin 88.

Thepin 88 has a reduced shaft 44 which pro` jects through the end of theshell 4I.

v A spring 45 is seated in the shell 4i so as to pressv the pin 38outwardly.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 1l, it will be noted that from the severalweb supports 21 the webs are carried forward over suitable guides in theframe 28, and threaded between a multiplicity of guide rods 48. Theguide rods 48 are mounted upon and extend between two semi-circular side.frame members 41 and 48 of the frame 28. It

will be noted 'from Fig., 1 that the several rods 48 are so arrangedwith respect to the approachingl webs that all of the webs bear on thelower surfaces of the rods. This is for yconvenience in placing the-Vwebs at the vdesired position. It

will also be observed from Fig. l1l that the several web supports 21 areso positioned endwise the brackets 48 is preferably aligned with' one 35ofthe discs 8| of the several web supports. The

collars 58 are set to align with the discs88 of ship so as to givethe'desired amount of exposed portions 23 on the ultimate sheets.

v'I'he brackets 48 and 58 are each adapted to removably support anadhesive container 54 (see Figs. 14, 15 and 20).I The containers 54 seatin recesses 55 and .'58 which are cut in the brackets 48 and 58. fEachcontainer has a concave socket 51 adapted to receive a pointed screw 58that is threaded in the bracket 58. A thumb screw 58 is threaded in thebracket 48 and has a pointed end adapted. to engage in a similar conicalsocket .88 provided in.the adjacent end (Each container 54 has anopening 8i in the top thereof and a rock shaft,v 8,2 is journalled inthe ends of the container 84. This rock shaft carries a pluralityl A offingers 88 which are adapted to swing between a position shown in fulllines in Fig. l5 within the adhesive material in the container 54 to awill beounderstood that there is a lever arm 81 and a rock shaft 88.foreach ofthe pairs of brackets" 48 and 58. The rock shafts 88 arerotatablyjournalled in the brackets 48 and 88 and in the Viside framemembers" and 48. By

actuating the rock shafts 88. the ngers 88 'are causedto alternately'dip into the adhesive ma- I terial in the containers 54 and move upinto- 4 l `position to engage thewebs' which pass beneath ing in oneside of the frame 28. 'Ihe other side 15 the 48. Y l

thereto adjacent the shaft 84. These yracks mesh with two gears 88 and88a. which are carried by the frame 26 there are two rubber coveredguide vrolls 13 and 14 to which all of the webs are led after they passfrom the rods 46.v These rolls are adapted to press theseveral webstightly together in overlapped relation. The rolls 13 and 14 alsov actto force the adhesive between the webs into the material of the webs andto spread it. This prevents the adhesive carrying parts of theoverlapped webs from becoming excessively thick as compared to thecombined thickness of the webs, where there is no adhesive between them.yThe rolls 13 and 14 are approximately at the center of the circularpath in whichv the adhesive applying fingers lie.

The several webs, after being placed in overlapped relation, passbetween two web advancing means 15 and 16 whichv supply the necessaryforce to pull the several vwebs from their supports-and through the path`just described.

The means 15 and 16 are supported by a plurality of standards 11, 18.and 19, the standards being connected by three tie'rods 19a,.19b and19c. These standards-also lsupport; a guillotine shear 80,. a unitlifting and removing suction mechanism 8| and the driving mechanism forthe machine, including a drive motor 82. Before explainingthe detailedoperation of the advancing means 15 andv 16, the driving mechanism forthe several parts of the machine will be explained.

The motor 82 has a pinion 83 which meshes with a gear 8.4 upon a shaft85. The shaft 85 is journalled in the standards 11 and 18 and carries asmall pinion 85 adjacent the standard 19. This pinion meshes with Vagear 81 upon a main operating shaft 88 that extends from the stand-A,ard 11 to the standard 18 and is journalled for.

rotation in the three standards. The shaft 88 carries a pair of cams 89and 88, which cams are adapted to control the operation of the shear 80.The shaft 88 also carries an eccentric 9| 'which is adapted to controlthe operation of. the suction mechanism 8|. l yond the standard 18 andatits outer end has The shaft 88 extends bea shaft 88 that has a handwheel |80 thereon. The shaft 89 is journalled in the lower web advancingmeans 16. The shafts 83 and 84 have sprocket wheels |8| and |02 thereon,there being three sprocket wheels for each shaft, one at each endthereof andl one adjacent to the cross bar. 96a. The several sprocketwheels are engagedv by three sprocket chains |03,|04 and |05. The chainsare connected by al plurality of separate cross rods |08 so as to form aconveyer structure. lA plurality of chain guide bars |81 are carried onthe bars 85, 86 and 86a. As the conveyer structure passes beneath theframework composed of the shafts 83 and 84 and thebars 95, 96 and 96a,it is directed by the guide bars4 |01 gradually downward from the pointwhere it leaves the sprocket wheels |82 and then in a provided forholding fa plurality of sprocket ily attached to the machine so as todouble its capacity. ,All'of the operating'mechanism carried by thestandards'11, 18 and 18 isso arranged to operate the same, whether themachine is asshown in Fig. 2 or is of the double capacity type.

Referring now to the 15 and 16l and the means for operating the same,

. the "web,l advancing means 15 comprises two spaced shafts 9,3 and 94which are connected together by three bars 85, 96 and 96a. The bars 95and-86 have lifting racks 91 and 91a pivoted web advancing meansstraight line to the point adjacent the shaft 93 where it leaves theguides |01 and is directed upwardly. 'The several cross rods |86 haverubber coverings |88 thereon, these coverings beingrubber tubesl whichare slightly stretched when they are placed upon the Vrods |86. The rodsare connected to the chains.|03, |04 and |05 by a plurality of bracketsshown best in Figs. 9 and 10. The brackets comprise special links |09for the chains, which links have extensions ||8 bent horizontallybeneath the chain and riveted to the rods |06, the rods being cut away,Aas indicated at,` ||I, to provide flat surfaces for the extendedportions ||0 of the links. which control the direction of the chains|03, |09 and |85, are bolted to their adjacent cross lbars 95, 86 and88a by bolts, one of which is shown in Fig. l0 at ||2. 4 n

`The means 16 is substantially a duplicate in construction of the means15 with the exception that it is stationary. The means 16 comprises twoshafts ||3` and ||4 connected by three cross bars similar to 95, 96 and96a. Only one of the cross bars I5 is shown in the drawings, since theothers are hidden by the corresponding cross bars of the upper means15.'Suitable guides |.|6 are chains i|1 exactly like the chains |03, |84 andin proper opposed relation to the chains |03,

|84 and |05. The sprocket chains ||1 are connected by a plurality ofcross rods |24 that have rubber vcoverings |24a like the coverings |08.'I'he means 16 is supported from the standards 11 and 19 by twohorizontally extending extensions I I8 and I9 ofthe standards and by twobrackets |28 and |2| which are carried -by the extensions ||8 and ||9.The' shaft 3 is journalled in the standards 11, 18 and 19 and is adaptedto be driven by the arm 92 through a suitable mechanism to be described.The shaft 93 also extends through the standard V19l and is journalled inthe standard 18. The two shafts 93 and ||3 are connected together by twogears |22 and |23 (see Fig. 4).

The function of the rubber covered cross rods |06 and- |24 is 'to gripand move the several overlapped webs step by step to the shear 80. Allof the advancement of the Webs from their supports 21 is caused by thestep by step advancement given the overlapped webs by the rubber coveredbars |86 :and |24. It is highly essential that this advancement beaccomplished without in any way disturbing the overlapped arrangement ofthe several webs,l since uniformity and The guide bars |01,

'i 08 and |24 also serve to apply pressure to the overlapped webssuicient to causethem to adhere rmly to each other at the points wherethe adhesive is placed 4between the webs. It has been found necessary,in order to Iavoid slippage and" distorted alignment of the webs, tohave the rods |08 and |24 brought gradually into engagement with thewebs. This isfaccomplished by the guides |01 and ||8 which are soshapedas to direct :the chains toward each other along gradually approachinglines.` Since the overlapped webs are always engaged by several lpairsof rubber covered rods, there is no opportunity .-for relative slipping,and the yielding of the rubber is sufficient to accommodate theirregularities due to the overlap.

Rotation of the shaft ||3 and t-he shaft 83 is accomplished by themechanism shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 7 and 8. A rack |25 is mountedon an arm 82 by means of a clevis |28 which is pivoted about a bolt |21.`The bolt |21 is thre'ad-v ed to receive an adjusting screw |28'which isi carried in a-slot |28 of the arm 82. Rotation of the screw |28 isutilized to adjust the position of the rack |25 lengthwise of the arm 82and to thus control the stroke imparted |to the rack |25. The rack |25is adapted to mesh with a gear |30 (see Fig. 7) which gear is iournalledon the shaft H3. A sleeve |3| is interposed between the gear |30 and theshaft II3. The gear |23 which is keyed to the shaft ||3 abuts 'the gear|30.

The gear |30 has a hub portion |32 which ex-` tendstoward the free endof the shaft ||3 and has an enlargedvannular head |33 thereon. Theannular head |33 surrounds a clutch member |34 that lis keyed to theshaftA I I3 by a key |35. A. cover plate |38 is mounted over the openend of the head |33. The member |34 has a reduced extension |31 whichprojects through the plate |38, the reduced portion, of course, beingcylindrical. The head |33 and the member |34, to-

gether with a plurality of spring pressed rollers |38 and notches |38 inthe member |34, constitute what is usually termed an overrunning clutchor one-way drive connection between the head |33 `and the member |34.The head |33 is, of course, oscillated by reciprocation of ,the rack'l25in engagement with the gear |30. The head |33 is therefore the drivingelement which, when movedin the direction indicated by `the arrow inFig. 8, causes rotation of the member |34 and the Yshaft I3. When thehead is driven in the opposite direction, the rollers |38 recede towardthe deeper portions of the notches |38 and the head is rotated on the.member |34. In this way, step by step movement is communicated to theshaft ||3 and through the gears The Shafts sa and ns drive the webadvancing mechanism comprising Ethe means 15 and 18.

there is mounted a cutter bar which removably supports a movable knife|45. The knife |28 is secured to the ba-r |45by suitable screws 1. bar|45 alongside the knife |48, these pins being spaced at frequentintervals lengthwise 0f the bar. 'The pins |48 terminate somewhatabovethe cutting edge of the knife |48, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. Thestandards 11, 18 and 18 have guide grooves |48, and |5| respectively forreceiving the bar |45 Vand guiding it in its vertical reciprocation.

Suspended from the bar |45 by a plurality of bolts |52 is a presser bar|53 which is adapted to -engage severed portions of the overlapped.

webs as the bar |45 descends. The bolts |52 are slidably mounted in thebar |45, as shown in Fig. 6 at |54. A plurality of springs |55 areinterposed jbetween the presser bar |53 and a ledge |58 provided on thebar |45. When the bar |45 f is pressed downwardly, the bar |53 at firstmoves down with the` bar |45 until it engages the top of the plate |42.Further descent of lthe bar |45-then results in compressing the springs|55 as the'kniie |48 is moved by the bar |45 to shear the webs which arefed across the base plate |42. As the cutting stroke of the knife |48-continues. .the pins |48 come into engagement with a supporting plate|51 which is mounted on a plurality of pins |58 that are slidablymounted in the base plate |42. 'I'he pins |58 have coiled springs |53thereon which normally holdfthe plate |51 in its raised position. Thebase plate |42 has arib |80 thereon/through which the pinsf|58 extend. i

The bar |45 is adapted to be operatedlby the cams 88 and 80. A shaft |8|is mounted in the'standards 11, 18 and 18. Adjacent the' standqard 11the shaft |8| has an arm |82 pivoted thereon. This arm carries a roller|83 which engages the cam 88. At its free end, thearm |82 supports a rod|84 which extends through a slot |85 in the standard 11. Outside thestandard 11 the rod |84. which is rotatably mounted .in the arm |82,connects with a rod |88 which is secured toone end of -the bar |45.

Adjacent to the standard 18, the shaft |8| has a lever arm |81 pivotedthereon. This lever arm carries a roller |88 which is adapted to engagethe cam 80. The .rod |84 extends through the lever arm |81 and througha. slot |88 provided in the standard 18. A rod |10 connects the rod|84with the end of the bar |45,-as

. shown best in Figs. 3 and 4. The rodl |84 1s |13and |14 tothe baseplate |42. When the The degree of advance imparted .to the webl iscontrolled'by adjusting Ithe effective length of `the rack is adjustedby means of the screw |28.

Referring' now to .thefshea-r 80, the construcf non' of the shear 1sshown best in Figs. 3-6 inelusive. The .shear comprises a base plate |42which is carriedby the standards 11, 18 and 13.

cams 89 and 80 engage the rollers |83 and |88 with their extendedportions, they push the. levers |82 and |81 downwardly so as to move therod |84 downward against the tension of the springs |1| and |12. Thislowers the cutter bar |45 so .as to cause the knife |48 to cut theoverlapped This base plate mounts a stationary knife |43 webs which arefed across the plate |42.

The lever |82 also -operates the adhesive ap/ 12a and 12b, as shown inFig. 6, these sections being overlapped and held by' two collars` |18 Aplurality of pins |48 depend from the roller being mounted upon aircylinder and |91 on the link |94,

-An additional valve 'the arm |92.

i are] advanced each step in order tov have the and |19` which arefastened by two screws |80 and |8|. It is thus possible whenever desiredtoadjust the length of the bar 12.

The shaft 88 is adapted, through the eccentric 8|, to actuate thesuction device 8|. The eccentric 9|` engages-a roller |82 (see Fig. 5),the an arm |83 which is formed on a lever |84.A The lever |84 isrotatably mounted on the shaft |6|. At its upper end, thevlever |84 hasa piston rod |85 pivoted thereto. |86 which operates in an air cylinder|81. The |81 is carried by the standard 19. |88 for the cylinder |81 isconhose |88 to the suction An inlet pipe nected by a flexible airdevice'8l.

An exhaust valve |90 is mal exhaustion of the cylinder |81 as the pistonmoves toward the closed end of the cylinder. |'9| is provided foradmitting to break the suction sud- |89 at the proper time. The

air to the cylinder denly in the conduit valve |9| is carried by an arm|92 which is'pivotally supported by a bracket |93l that is mounted onthe standard 19. The free end of the lever arm |92 supports a link |94which has an elongated slot |95 in the end thereof remote Afrom The arm|92 and the link |94 are loosely connected byV means of Ispaced collars|96 the link, of course, being extended through an opening in the arm|92.` The link |94 is secured to the lever |84 by a headed pin |98 whichextends through the slot |95. The lost motion provided by the slot |95allows thelever |84 to draw the piston |86 rearwardly far enough 8 I,but just before the lever .|84 reaches its limiting position, shown indotted lines in Eig. 5, the pin |98 engages the outer end of the slot|95 so as to pull the 'link |94 to the left and thus open the valve |9|and release the suction in the conduit |89. The lever |84 and the pin 98also actuate an` arm |99 which is fixed on a rod 200 by a pin 20|. Aspring |99a tends to pull the arm |99 into the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 5. The pin |98 engages the arm |99 near the end of thesuction stroke of the lever |84 and moves the arm |99 to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 5. The rod 200 extends lengthwise of themachineand is supported by suitable lugs 202-provlded on the standards 11 and18. Two links 203 and 204 arexed on the rod 200 and at their upper endsare connected to horizontally running levers 205 and 206. The levers 205and 206 are upstanding posts 201 and 208 which are provided on thestandards 18 and 11 respectively. k The levers 205 and 206 carry thesuction device 8|. The suction device pipes 209 and 2|0 which -areconnected together at the center by connecting piping 2|| which also isconnected to the flexible conduit |89. xThe pipes 209 and 2|0 carry' aplurality of suction nozzles 2|2 (see Fig. 3) each of which is providedwith a valve 2|3. The nozzles have rubber tips 2|4 which vare adapted toengage the overlapped webs and slide :them off of the plate |42 onto aconveyer 2 l5 (see Fig. 4)

Means are provided to adjust the frame 26 towardv and away from the webadvancing means and 16 vto accommodate the apparatus to the making ofdifferent widths of unit strips. It is necessary that the distance fromthe adhesive applying means to the shearing means be a multiple of thedistance' the overlapped webs The piston rod |85 carries a pistonslidably supported by 8| comprises two provided for the norto actuatethe suction device eral webs into overlapped other, the cutting of theoverlapped webs, and

'ard 11. I-t has a ing with a worm -side portions 2|9 and adhesive onthe overlapped webs occur at the proper place on theunit strips.

The trarne `adjusting means includes a U- shaped framework' 2|8 which isadapted to receive the brackets 26a and 26h on the front of the frame28. The frame 2|8 and the brackets 26a and 26h have openings therein toreceive two pins 2|1 and 2|8; The frame 2|6 has side portions 2|9 and220 which are adjustably secured to the standards 11 and 18 and whichmay be moved together to move the frame 26 to and from the standards 11and 18. A shaft 22| extends between the standards 11 and 18 and isjournalled in bearings 2.22 provided on the standards 11, 18 and 19. Ascrew threaded shaft 223 v(seel'ig. 6) is journalled in the standwormgear 225 on the shaft 22|. Also, a screw threaded shaft 226 isjournalled in the standard 18. It carries a worm gear 221 which mesheswith a worm 228 on the shaft 22|. The 220 are connected to two screwthreaded blocks 229 (see Fig.' 18) which receive the screw threadedshafts 223 and 228.

The shaft 22| has a hand wheel 230 thereon. The frame-26 is adjustedwith respect, to the web advancing means by turning the hand wheel 230and thereby rotating the shafts 223 and 226 to move the blocks 229endwise of said shafts.

The general operation of the apparatus .which has been describedcomprises the loading of the frame 26 with necessary spools of paper,the setting of these spools so as to give the proper overlapping of thewebs as they are brought together, the application of the' securingmeans (adhesive) to the webs, the bringing of the sevengagement witheach the removal of the unit strips cui? from the webs.

capacity of the apparatus may be fed to the adhesive applying means. I fsome of the adhesive applying devices are not to be used, they may beremoved frorn 'their supports.

All of them are easily removed for cleaning, fillpossible to use theapparatus same width because all of the. webs are advanced the sameamount. f

It is desirable to have two frame is loaded with spools and adhesivematerial while the' other is in the process of making unit strips. Forthe maximum capacity of the machine shown there should be four frames26' and two sets of advancing means 15 and 18. The one shear and the onesuction device can take care of the webs advanced.

It will be noted that the parts are arranged so that the adhesive isapplied while the webs are stationary. Thus there is a clean cut row ofsmall dots or areas of adhesive between each pair of adjacent sheets ina unit strip. The' advancing means 15 and 16 have their cross barsoppositely disposed and close together so that 224 thereon mesh- It willbe appreciated' that as many webs as.

desired up to the frames 26 for each of the sets of advancing means 15and 16. one

the several i of the parts may be made without departing from the spiritand scopepf the invention as described in the appended claims, in which'it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in invention as broadlyas possible, in view of the ,prior art. I claim: y

1. Apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in gmups so that vaportion of each sheet adjacent tov one edge thereof is exposed toreceive a legend, said'apparatus comprising a plu- The several .6. Inapparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups-so that a portionof each sheet adjacent to one'edge thereof is exposed to'receive alegend, web advancing means, a cutting device adapted to cut the webintosh'eets ofthe desired size, and adhesive applying means op- `rerable to apply adhesive material to said web at longitudinally spacedpoints thereon, said adhesive applying means comprising a row ofadhesive carryingv ngers arranged transversely across the path of theweb.'

7. In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups so thataportion of each sheet adjacent to 'one edge thereof is exposed toreceive a legend, adhesive applying means operable to apply adhesivematerial between the several sheets of a group in a row of small areasextendv ing across the sheets,` said adhesive applying rality of webcarrying spools,'web feeding means,

guides adaptedf to direct the Webs from said spools into face to faceoverlapping engagement, means to apply a securing means to the severalwebs at uniformly spaced intervals lengthwise of the Webs, and cuttingmeans operable on said webs when in engagement to cut the overlappedwebs along transversely running lines adjacent to said securing means.

2. Apparatus for forming and assembling sheetsin groups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed to receivea legend, said apparatus comprising a plurality of web carrying spools,web feeding means, guides adapted to direct the webs froml said spoolsinto face to face overlapping engagement, adhesive applying meansoperable to apply adhesive along lines extending transversely of thewebs at univ formiy spaced intervals along the webs, and cutlting meansoperable to cut the overlapped webs into units of equal length.

3. Apparatus for forming and `,assembling sheets in 'groups so that aportion of-each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof -is exposed toreceive a legend, said apparatus comprising web supporting and guidingmeans adapted to directa. plurality 0i' webs into face to faceoverlapping engagement with a portion of each web exposed along one sideedge thereof, web feeding means engaging the overlapped Webs andoperable to advance them together, means to apply adhesive intransversely running lines between said webs at longitudinally spacedpoints before they are brought into engagement, and means to cut theoverlapped webs along transversely running lines adjacent to the linesof said adhesive.

4, In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed to receivea legend, web advancing means; a cutting device adapted to cut the webinto sheets of the desired size, and adhesive applying means operable toapply adhesive material to said web along lines extending transverselyof the web at longitudinally spaced points thereon.

5. In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed. toreceive a legend, web advancing means, a cutting device adapted to cutthe web into sheets of the desired size, and adhesive applying meansoperable to apply adhesive material to said web in transverselyextending rows oi small areas at uniformly spaced distances lengthwiseof the web. Y

means comprising a row of adhesive carrying lingers movable relativelyto said sheets.

8. In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed to receivea legend, web advancing means, a cutting device adapted to cut the webinto sheets of the desired size, and adhesive applying means' operableto apply adhesive material to said web at longitudinally spaced pointsthereon, said adhesive applying means comprising an adhesive ycontainerv and a pluralityl of elements spaced across the path of theweb| for carrying adhesive from said container to said web.

9. A method of. producing unit strips comprising a-plurality of sheetsoverlapped and secured together so that a portion of each sheet adjacentto one edge is exposed to receive a legend, said method comprising theapplication of spaced small areas of adhesive material to one side ofthe sheets, and thereafter laying the sheets together withl the sheetssubstantially aligned in one direction andoverlapped in a direction atright angles-to said first named direction so as to leave a portion ofeach sheet exposed.

10. A method of producing unit strips comprising a plurality of sheetsoverlapped and4 secured so that a portion of each sheet adjacent to oneedge is exposed to receive'a legend, said method comprising the layingof the sheets together one upon another and overlapping them so as toleave a portion along oneedge of veach sheet projecting beyond the nextadjacent sheet on one side of\ it, and securing the said sheets inalignment as to an edge thereof extending in the direction ofoverlapping by applying securing means at spaced intervals along saidlast named edge.

1l. A method of producing unit strips comprising a plurality of sheetsoverlapped and secured together so thata portion of each sheet adjacentto one edge is exposed to receive a legend, said method comprising thelaying of the sheets together one upon another and overlapping them soas to leave a portion along one 'edge of each sheet projecting beyondthe next adjacent sheet on one `side of it, and securing the saidsheetsin alignment as to an edge thereof extending in the direction pfoverlapping by applying adhesive between adjacent sheets at spacedintervals along said last named' edge.

12. A method of producing unit strips comprising a plurality of sheetsoverlapped and secured together so that a portion of each sheet adjacentto one edge is exposed to receive a legend, said method comprising thelaying of a plurality of webs of sheet material one upon another andoverlapping them so as to leave a portion of each web alongside onelongitudinal edge thereof projecting beyond the next adjacent web on oneside of it, applying securingy means to the webs atuniformlynlongitudinally spaced points, and cutting the severaloverlapped webs transversely between the points where they are securedtogether.

13. A method of producing unit strips com-- prising a plurality ofsheets overlapped and se-A cured together so that a portion of eachsheet adjacent to one edge is exposedto receive a legend, said methodcomprising the laying of a plurality of webs of sheet material one ,uponanother and overlapping them so as to leave a portion of each webalongside one longitudinal edge thereof projecting beyond the nextadjacent web on one side of it, applying adhesive between the webs atlongitudinally spaced points then pressing the webs together, andcutting the overlapped webs transversely between the points ofapplication of adhesive into unit strips.

14. A method of producing' unit vstrips comprising a plurality of sheetsoverlapped and secured together so that a portion of each sheet adjacentto one edge is exposed to receive a legend, said method comprising thelaying of 'a advancing means adapted to receive the overlapped webs anddraw them from said first named means.. and cutting means operable tocut the overlapped webs into unit strips, said apparatus including meansto attach together the'several web portions in a unit strip. y

character described 18. Apparatus of the adapted to produceunits ofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that a portion ofj each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isexposed to receive a legend, said apparatus comprising,r lincombination, a frame, web supporting and guiding means on said frameoperable to direct a plurality of Webs into overlapping engagement witheachother, a web advancing means adapted to receive the overlapped websand drawv them from said first` plurality of webs of sheet material oneupon another and overlapping them, so as to leave a portion of each webalongside one longitudinal edge thereof projecting beyond the nextadjacent web on one side of it, applying transverse'- ly running rows fadhesive material to one of each of the meeting faces of said webs atlongitudinally spacedpoints; and-cutting thef webs transversely betweensaid rows of adhesive material.

I5. Apparatus ofv the character described produce units of sheetswherein each.

adapted to sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacent 'sheets sothat a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed toreceive a legend,

said apparatus comprising, in combination, web

supporting and guiding means operable to direct a plurality of webs intooverlapping engagement with each other with a portion of each web alongone side edge thereof exposed.. web advancing "said conveyors step bystep.

20. Apparatus of "ptheA character "described means, means operable toattach the webs to each other at longitudinally spaced points thereof',cutting means operable to cut the overlapped webs transversely betweenthe points of attachment, and means to adjust the web attaching meanstoward and away from the cutting means.

16. Apparatus of the character described adapted .to produce units ofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect tothe adjacentsheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isiexposed to receive a legend,

said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, web supporting andguiding means on said frame operable to direct a plurality'of webs intooverlapping engagement with each other, a web advancing means adapted toreceive the overlapped webs and draw them from said first rramed means,and cutting means operable to cut the overlapped'webs into unit strips.`

' 1'7. Apparatus of the character described adapted4 to produce units ofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that4 a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isexposed to receive a legend,

said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, web supporting andguiding means on said fra-me operable to direct a plurality o'f websinto overlapping engagement with each other, a `'web named means, andcutting means operable to .cut the overlapped webs intol unit strips,said web advancing means comprising two conveyors having opposed crossrods grippingthe overlapped webs between them. l

19. Apparatus yof the character described adapted to' produce units ol?ysheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent V to one edge thereof.is exposedgto receive a legend,

adapted to produce units of sheets wherein each sheet is overlappedwith-respect to the'adjacent sheets so that a' portion of each sheetadjacent to one edge thereof is exposed to receive a legend,

saidapparatus comprising, in combination, a frame', web supporting andguiding means on said frame operable 'to direct a plurality of webs intooverlapping engagement with each other, a web advancing ,means adaptedto receive the overlapped ,webs and draw them from said iirst namedmeans, and cutting means operable to cut the overlapped webs into unitstrips, said web advancing means comprising two conveyors having opposedcross rods gripping the. overlapped lwebs between them, guide means forsaidconveyors operable vto direct the opposed cross rods graduallytoward eachother at theweb receiving end of said conveyors.

2l. Apparatus of the character described adapted to produce 'units ofsheetswherein each sheet is overlapped with'resp'ec't to the adjacent Asheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isexposed to receive a legend, said apparatus comprising, in combination,a

- frame, web supporting and guiding means on said frame operable todirect a plurality of webs into overlapping engagement with each other,a web advancing means adapted to receive the overlapped webs land drawthem from said rst named means, and cutting 4means operable to cut theoverlapped webs into unit strips', said web advancing means comprisingtwo conveyors having opposed cross rods gripping the overlapped websbetween them, said cross rods` having resilient coverings.

, frame, web supporting and guiding means on said frame operable todirect aplurality of webs into overlapping engagement with each other, aweb advancing means adaptedto receive the overlapped webs and draw themfrom said iirst advance themtogether, means to apply adhesive betweensaid webs at longitudinally spaced points, means to cut the overlappedwebs along transversely running lines adjacent to the points of applyingsaid adhesive, said cutting means including a reciprocating knife, andholding devices i on opposite sides of the knife movableinto ennamedmeans, cutting-means operable to cut the overlapped webs into unitstrips, said apparatus including means to attach together the severalweb portions in a unit strip, and suction operated means -to remove theunit strips from the cutting means.

23. Apparatus of the character described adapted to produce units ofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect Ito the adjacentsheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isexposed to receive a legend, said apparatus comprising, in combination,a frame, web supporting and guiding means on said frame operabletodirect a plurality of webs` into overlapping engagement with eachother, a web advancing means adapted to receive the overlapped webs anddraw them from said first named means, and cutting means operable to cutthe overlapped webs into unit strips, said apparatus including means toattach together the adapted to cut the web into sheets of the desiredsize, adhesive applying means operable to apply adhesive material tosaid web at longitudinally spaced points thereon, said adhesive applyingmeans comprising a' row of adhesive carrying fingers arrangedtransversely across the -path of the web, said web advancing meanscomprising two conveyors having opposed cross rods gripping theoverlapped webs between them, and actuating means for said adhesiveapplying means and said conveyors, operable to alternate the movements yof the adhesive lapplying means with the conveyor movements. I

25. In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in grbups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof is exposed to'receivea legend. web advancing means, a cutting device adapted to cut the webinto sheets of the desired size, adhesive applying means operable toapply adhesive material to said web at longitudinally spaced pointsthereon, said adhesive applying means comprising a row of adhesivecarrying fingers arranged transversely across the path of the web, and aconmon actuating means for said web advancing means and said adhesivegagement with the web to be cut as the knife adyances, whereby to holdthe web portions during the cutting thereof.

27. In apparatus for forming and.. assembling sheets in groups so that aportion of each sheet adjacent to'one edgevthereof is exposed to receivea legend, web advancing means, a cutting device adapted lto cut the webinto sheets of the desired size, adhesive applying means operable toapply adhesive material to said web at longitudinally spaced pointsthereon,4 said' adhesive applying `means comprising a row of adhesivecarrying fingers arranged transversely across the path of the web, and.Imanually operable means for adjusting the distance of web travel fromthe fingers to the cutting device.

28. Apparatus of the character described adapted to produce unltsofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent applying means operableto alternately advance the webs and actuate the adhesive applying alongone side edge thereof, web feeding means engaging the overlapped websland operablel to to one edge thereof is exposed to receive a legend,said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, web supporting andguiding means on said frame operable ,to direct a plurality of webs intooverlapping' engagement with each other, adhesive applying devices onsaid frame comprising adhesive containers adjacent to the web guidingmeans and between the paths of 'the webs, web engaging members thereinadapted to transfer adhesive from the containers to the web, a webAadvancing means adapted to receive the overlapped webs and draw themfrom said first named means, and cutting means operable to cut theoverlapped webs into unit strips.

29. Apparatus of the character described adapted to produce umts ofsheets wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that la portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof isexposed to receive a legend, said apparatus comprising, in combination,a

frame, web supporting and guiding'means on said frame operable to directa plurality of webs into overlapping engagement with each other,adhesive applying devices on said vframe comprising adhesive containersadjacent to the web guiding means, web engaging members therein adaptedto transfer adhesive from the containers to the web, a web advancingmeans adapted to receive the overlapped webs and draw them from saidfirst named means, and cutting means operable to cut the overlapped websinto unit strips. said adhesive containers being individually removable.

30. Apparatus of the character described adapted to produce units ofsheetsv wherein each sheet is overlapped with respect to the adjacentsheets so that a portion of each sheet adjacent to one edge thereof -isexposed to receive a legend..

said" apparatus comprising, ifi Combination a frame, web supporting andguiding means on said transfer adhesive from the containers to the web,

a web advancing means adapted to receive the overlapped webs and drawthem from said first named means, cutting means operable to cut the`means operable to several webs tightly overlapped webs into unitstrips. said apparatus including an actuating device common to allsaidweb engaging members for periodically causing them to transfer adhesivefrom the containers to the webs, and said web engaging members beingindividually releasabie from the actuatingv device.

31. In apparatus for forming and assembling sheets in groups whereineach sheet is attached to adjacent sheets, web supporting and guidingdirect a plurality of spaced webs into face to` face engagement witheach other, means to apply adhesive between the webs before they engageeach other, i said guiding means including elements operable to pressfthe together, means to advance the several engaged webs as a unit, andcutting means operable to cut the engaged webs into groups of sheets,said being arranged in a circular path about the point of face to faceengagement of said webs as a 0 center.

adhesive applying meansengaged webs as a 32. In apparatus for formingand assembling sheets in groups wherein each sheet is attached toadjacent sheets, web supporting and guiding means operable to direct aplurality of spaced webs into face .to face engagement with each other.means to apply adhesive to one of each pair of engaging faces of thewebs before they engage each other, said guiding means includingelements operable to press the several webs tightly together, means toadvance the several unit, cutting means operable to cut the engaged websinto groups of sheets. said adhesive applying means comprising adhesivecarrying ilngers arranged transversely across the paths of the webs andarranged in a circular path, and said elements being substantially atthe center of said path,

ROBERT ALONZO WILLIAMS.

